EDWARD M. DUNN, JR.
Past President
1959-1960
Date of Death:  September 9, 2019

 In November 1940, an organizational meeting for the Powhatan Beach Volunteer Fire Department was held in the house Vernon Betz lived in.  His mother had built the house for a church. At the meeting, there were several officers from the Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department to help guide those interested.  Ed attended because he had a better education than most of the men in the community.  They were all good hard working people but unfortunately most men of that generation, because of the depression, only went to the fifth grade.  Ed wrote the by-laws for the newly formed company.  John Speake, Sr. asked Ed’s father, Edward M. Dunn, Sr., to organize and train a ten man fire brigade. The Civil Defense Agency promised any community that succeeded, would be equipped by the Federal Government.  This was one year before World War II.  Ed, Sr. lined up 15 or 20 men in the community and they trained at Orchard Beach.  When the Civil Defense Unit was unable to keep their commitment, Mr. Dunn, Sr. looked at the group and said let’s go on without them.  They organized, raised their own funds, and did what was necessary to have fire protection closer than Orchard Beach.  At the time, seven houses had been lost in Powhatan Beach.  It was determined that arson was involved.  The police handled arson back in those days and they caught the guy and he went to jail.  The first piece of equipment bought was a used 1934 Chrysler with a rumble seat.  Also purchased was a new 50 gallon oil drum to put in the rumble seat. The Civil Defense Warden for Anne Arundel County sent some rakes and Indian Tanks.  Over the years, the members became active in The Third District and Ed served on the Membership and Fire Prevention committees.

 Ed served as Captain when Powhatan Beach organized. The rank of Deputy Chief was created which made Ed eligible to be President of the Fire Chiefs Association.  He served as Secretary to the Board of Governors and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.  The annual carnival came under this committee.  Bingos and four dinners a year were also held.   Ed served as Chairman of the Fire Prevention committee.  The committee conducted demonstrations at various schools and churches, and the Local Improvement Association.  They also arranged Open House during Fire Prevention week. Their Fire Prevention program was submitted to the International Fire Chiefs Association and received an honorable mention award for several years.

Ed was very active in the Anne Arundel Volunteer Fireman's Association.  He served on several committees, mainly the Executive Committee. He served as Vice President and then was elected President from 1959-1960. During his term as Vice President, he performed many of the President’s duties because he neglected them.  Ed was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Ed was elected County Treasurer during the time he was serving the County Association.  Due to the way he conducted himself in that office, the County Commissioners had a lot of confidence in him and many things were accomplished.  At that time, two paid firemen at each station were paid $2,400 per year.  Through the effort of Ed and others, a $600 raise for each man was given which meant a 25% increase.  The fire company's were looked after by a three man Fire Board appointed by the County Commissioners.  There was no one to keep records, so Ed proposed the position of Fire Administrator be created which was approved.  At the same time, a Central Alarm was being worked.  Also while serving as Treasurer, Ed got a special taxation set up for collection from the taxpayers to be able to distribute to the Third District Companies. The next year, Ed and others asked for and received a third man for the companies.   Ed served on the committee that selected the site where Fire Headquarters, the Training Center, and 911 is located.  Ed’s suggestion to buy both farms that where available, turned out to be a good one because of the expansion at these locations.  During Ed’s term, numbers were assigned to each company.   Ed was elected County Commissioner and as a result the firemen got just about everything they asked for.  The Central Alarm had to be underground and was built with grant money from the Federal Government. The County Commissioners were very conservative and would not float bonds for anything from schools. They would pass a special tax and when sufficient funds were accumulated, they would pay cash.  When using Federal Grant money, their rules and specifications must be strictly adhered to.   At the time, unlike 911, the Police and Sheriff were not under the fire department system.

Ed was active in the Maryland State Firemen’s Association.  He served on the Transportation Committee shortly after Powhatan Beach joined the State Association.  While on the committee, Ed was one of those who convinced the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to issue special license plates.  At first, a fee per tag was going to be charged but was reversed as the Commission thought the tags could be instrumental in the saving of lives and waived the fee.  The Commissioner had his staff process the tags. Ed was also on the Auditing Committee of three with a banker from Frederick and Henry Purdy, a Public Accountant from Easton.  When Ed’s brother, Elmer, returned from military service, he replaced Ed on the committee.  Ed aspired to be President of the MSFA, but that was around the time his first wife took seriously ill, so he gave up the thought to spend as much with her as possible.

Ed was also active in the Maryland Fire Chief’s Association.  He served as the only member on the Auditing Committee.  He also served on the Membership and Fire Prevention committees.